A record number of Americans live in multigenerational households today. Although the trend began before the economic downturn, the Great Recession has fueled a dramatic rise in U.S. multigenerational households from 46.5 million in 2007 to 51.4 million by the end of 2009- a 10.5% increase in just three years.

Multigenerational families offer a number of advantages to its members. These households also face many challenges. Generations United urges policymakers and the private sector to offer supportive policies and services to support them.